Humphrey School alumni represent a web of professionals engaged in striving for the 'common good' in our communities and around the world. Personal and professional notes are a way to share this news with the broader alumni network, and share in each other's successes. Updates are posted ongoing. Be sure to email hhhalum@umn.edu to share your alumni note!

James Jernberg (MA '57) will be recognized as a 2008 recipient of the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award from the Humphrey School on October 29. He also began a 3-year term to the Humphrey School alumni board and as representative to the Institute's advisory council on July 1.

Camille Kolles (MPA '03) is employed as the executive director of the Carmel Bach Festival. She was featured in the July 17 article, "Barbara Rose Schuler: Carmel Bach Festival offers a banquet of classical events," in The Monterey County Herald.

Yang Madsen (MURP '98) left her position with the City of St. Paul and now works as a project developer for Navitas Energy. Her responsibilities include zoning and building permitting, land leasing, public relations and outreach, and overall project coordination.

Tim Marx (MA '79) resigned from his position as commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency to accept a new role as executive director of Common Ground, a housing and community development organization based in New York City, and one of the nation's largest providers of supportive housing for the formerly homeless.

Amy Strauss (MPP '03) left the Joint Legislative Budget Committee at the State of Arizona. She relocated to Washington, D.C., for a position as congressional liaison specialist at the Office of Congressional Affairs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Kate Troy (MPP '04) recently accepted a position as an analyst with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Secretary, Budget Office in Washington, D.C. She will track Head Start and some child welfare programs within the Administration for Children and Families.

Greg Earhart (MA '95) is the men's swimming coach at Carthage College and owner of CollegeSwimming.com. He received the College Swimming Coaches Association of America "National Collegiate and Scholastic Swimming Trophy" at the organization's 2008 annual conference. The award is presented to an individual or organization that has contributed in an outstanding way to swimming as a competitive sport and healthful recreational activity at schools and colleges. Greg, the youngest-ever recipient of the award, is only the sixth NCAA Division III member to receive the award in its 50-year history.

Trista (Carter) Harris (MPP '00) left her position as a program officer at the Saint Paul Foundation to become executive director at the Headwaters Foundation for Justice. "Being asked to serve as the foundation's executive director is both an honor and a privilege," said Harris. "The Headwaters Foundation for Justice has a well-deserved reputation as a leader in the field of social justice philanthropy. I am thrilled to join this team and continue this work because I'm convinced that through strong partnerships with donors and nonprofits, ambitious goals, innovation, and a commitment to impact, we can create a more just community."

Pamela (Seay) Appleby (MPP '98) has enrolled in nursing school this fall. Prior to this, she was a budget and policy analyst for the Division of Health Care Access and Accountability at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services in Madison.

Karl Batalden (MURP '04) left his position with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity to accept a position as housing specialist/associate planner for the City of Woodbury. He works with the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority.

Janet (Jan) Bull (MA '87) is employed at the George Washington University Institute for Spirituality and Health as an associate director. In this role, she assists the executive director in administering grants, managing projects, developing educational initiatives, including a summer institute, and collaborating on a variety of research projects.

Katie Burns (MA '97) began a new position with the Minnesota Department of Health's Health Economics Program in July. She directs and manages the health care payment and delivery system reforms passed during the 2008 legislative session.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Amber Shipley (MPP '05) was selected as a 2007 Women's Research and Education Institute Fellow in Washington, D.C., where she covered women's health and environmental issues for U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (D-MN). When her fellowship ended, Shipley joined the office of U.S. Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), staffing the congresswoman on the Judiciary Committee and covering a portfolio including LGBT issues, foreign relations, immigration, and domestic violence.

Kate Siggerud (MA '85) was promoted to managing director of the physical infrastructure division at U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Washington, D.C., effective June 1, 2008. Siggerud joined GAO in the Chicago field office in 1987, transferring to headquarters in 1998. Siggerud is the recipient of a Distinguished Service Award in 2007 for her leadership in directing significant bodies of work on Postal Service transformation and surface transportation and in supporting GAO recruiting efforts.

Mark Kinders (MPA '00) has been re-elected to a second term as chair of the Advisory Council for Communications and Public Affairs to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The purpose of the council is to advise AASCU on its communications work with Congress, the administration, and the public to promote broad public understanding of the essential role of public higher education in society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AASCU monitors, analyzes, and develops federal public policy in such areas as student financial aid, education, international programs, economic and work force development, teacher education, and undergraduate experiences. Additionally, it coordinates the American Democracy Project, which encourages students to become involved in civic leadership through such projects as voter registration, public policy advocacy, The New York Times readings in the classroom, Constitution Week, and resources sustainability. During Kinders first term as chair, the Council conducted its inaugural national conference for senior communications professionals at comprehensive public universities. It also initiated a benchmark national survey of professional responsibilities and practices for communicators and government relations senior leaders at AASCU institutions. The Associations membership includes 430 public higher education colleges, universities and higher education systems nationwide. Its institutions, which are partially or completely state funded, enroll over three million students and represent 55 percent of all students attending public institutions nationwide. Kinders is the director of public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he is responsible for the institution's relations with the Wisconsin Legislature, Congress, service region communities, and media.

Christine Wing (MA'94), a speech and language pathologist, was quoted in an article by Phil Pfuehler, "Can school-run, 4-year-old program bridge possible kindergarten divide." The article was published on April 17, 2008, in the River Falls Journal.

Robert (Bob) Hotz (MA '92) has been promoted to associate vice president at the Steier Group. A former development director for the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago, Hotz joined the Steier Group in 2004.

Carol Becker (MA '87) recently completed her doctorate in public administration at Hamline University. Her dissertation was titled 'Government without Government: Alternatives to Market and Government Failure.' Becker also won the PA Times Article of the Year award with her entry titled 'Is Public Administration Dead?'

Cathy ten Broeke (MPA '04) is the coordinator to end homelessness for Minneapolis and Hennepin County, and directs the planning and implementation of Heading Home Hennepin. She presented "Ending Homelessness in 10 Years: Progress and Challenges" at the Urban Currents session on June 18. 2008.

Mark Kinders (MPA '00) has been re-elected to a second term as chair of the Advisory Council for Communications and Public Affairs to the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The purpose of the council is to advise AASCU on its communications work with Congress, the administration, and the public to promote broad public understanding of the essential role of public higher education in society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AASCU monitors, analyzes, and develops federal public policy in such areas as student financial aid, education, international programs, economic and work force development, teacher education, and undergraduate experiences. Additionally, it coordinates the American Democracy Project, which encourages students to become involved in civic leadership through such projects as voter registration, public policy advocacy, The New York Times readings in the classroom, Constitution Week, and resources sustainability. During Kinders first term as chair, the Council conducted its inaugural national conference for senior communications professionals at comprehensive public universities. It also initiated a benchmark national survey of professional responsibilities and practices for communicators and government relations senior leaders at AASCU institutions. The Associations membership includes 430 public higher education colleges, universities and higher education systems nationwide. Its institutions, which are partially or completely state funded, enroll over three million students and represent 55 percent of all students attending public institutions nationwide. Kinders is the director of public affairs at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he is responsible for the institution's relations with the Wisconsin Legislature, Congress, service region communities, and media.

John Farrell (MPP '04) was published in the May 1, 2008, Star Tribune for his opinion piece titled "An energy incentive is drifting in the wind." Read the full article here: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/18430419.html?page=all&prepage=2&c=y.

Lawrencina (Mason) Oramalu (MA '96) joined the University of Minnesota Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) in March. In her role as equal opportunity consultant, Oramulu will investigate and analyze complaints of discrimination and conduct dispute resolutions in these cases. She will also serve as a resource to campus units and will develop and present training and education programs on EOAA issues.

John Mingus (MA '89) was promoted to assistant director in the data analysis division at U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). He continues to support GAO projects in the areas of tax policy, education, and community development.

Walter Novillo (MA '96) recently joined Action Consulting and Evaluation Team (ACET), Inc. of Minneapolis as a research specialist. His current research interests include postsecondary transition, organizational development, and multicultural education.